Clothes washer fluid distributing and filling device



Aug. 15, 1967 1 A URBAN 3,335,584

CLOTHES WASHER FLUID DISTRIBUTING AND FILLING DEVICE 1 N VE N TOR. Ja/w14. MPa/m J. A. URBAN 3,335,584 CLOTHES WASHE FLUID DISTRIBUTING ANDFILLING DEVICE Aug. 15, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. l5, 1966 Y N mwe X am. o M m M m wm o mm m B m k\\ ww. N /f O .1 4 v Q w a Q JM vm umUnited States PatentI 3,335,584 CLOTHES WASHER FLUID DISTRIBUTING ANDFILLING DEVICE John A. Urban, Livonia, Mich., assignor to AmericanMotors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Maryland Filed Feb.15, 1966, Ser. No. 527,567 11 Claims. (Cl. 68--207) The presentinvention pertains to a clothes Washing machine and more particularly toa fluid distributing and filling `device for the admittance of cleaningfluid into the machine.

In present day clothes washing machines the wash water is admitted froma spout to flow as a single stream into a basket containing articles ofclothing to be cleaned. Being a single stream from the spout, usually,it will strike one area and a-ll articles of clothing Within this areaWill become wet and be submerged. However, the articles of clothingoutside this area generally have the tendency to trap pockets of air andto float above the rising fluid. Consequently, -upon the start of theagitation period the floating articles are beaten by the agitator whilein a dry condition and until the trapped air is released and they cansubmerge. This is a very undesirable condition in that clothing notthoroughly wetted can be easily torn or shredded by the agitator.

Another undesirable feature in filling a wash basket by a single flowingstream is that such a stream is generally under sufficient pressure thatit tends, when striking an object, such as the agitator, to causesplashing and misting. Misting is ineffectual in providing an immediatewetting of the clothing as is desired.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a fluid distributingand filling arrangement which Will thoroughly wet articles of clothingin all areas of the wash basket so that the clothing will be submergedin the cleaning fluid at the start of the agitation period.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a distributing andfilling arrangement wherein the cleaning fluid is admitted through aplurality of small streams arranged adjacent an d about thecircumference of the wash basket.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a llingarrangement for a wash basket wherein the cleaning fluid is admitted ina plurality of flowing streams arranged about the basket whereby eachstream is directed upon the articles to be washed without strikingeither the sides of the basket'or the agitator whether the basket oragitator are stationary or in movement.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a distributingarrangement comprising an endless channel for receiving cleaning iluidand having a plurality of outlet ports for directing a plurality ofstreams into a wash basket whereby the outlet ports are arranged andsized so that the iluid will be equally distributed to all parts of thechannel providing an equal or like flow from each outlet port.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a fluiddistributing channel arranged in a housing that can readily be attachedas a cover for an outer tub encasing the wash basket, serve as a barrierfor the wash basket to prevent articles of clothing passing out of thewash basket, serve to catch cleaning huid splashed from the basketduring the movement of the agitator and returning it to the outer tub,and said channel having outlets for directing the flow therefrom intothe basket without effecting splashing or misting of the fluid.

The above and other objects of the invention will Iappear more clearlyfrom the following more detailed deseription of the invention and fromthe drawing wherein:

3,335,584 Patented Aug. 15, 1967 ICC FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary verticalsectional view of a clothes washing machine embodying the distributingand iilling arrangement for admittance of the cleaning uid into the washbasket;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken along .line 2--2 of FIGURE 1 withparts broken away and parts shown in section;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 3--3` ofFIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a cross sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken alone line 6-6 ofFIGURE 2;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIGURE 2 with partsbroken away and parts shown in section.

Shown in the drawing is a clothes washing machine 20 having animperforate stationary tub 22 within which is positioned a perforatedbasket 24. The tub 22 is attached to and supported by a housing 26enclosing a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism (not shown) supportsand drives the basket 24 in rotational movement during certain periodsand the agitator 30 within the basket 24 during other periods. Thehousing 26 is suitably supported upon a base (not shown) forming a partof cabinet 32 that encases the tub, basket and operating mechanism. Themechanism may be any well known type.

The cabinet 32 includes a top Wall 34 having an access opening 36 forentry into the basket 24 through which is inserted articles of clothingto be washed, and after washing removed therethrough. The opening 36 isclosed by a suitably hinged cover 38.

The stationary tub 22 is formed with an open top having a collar 42extending upwardly and preferably with a slight taper outwardly. Thecollar is also formed at a point along its axial length with acircumferentially extended shoulder 44. Adapted to be wedged downwardlyinto the collar 42 until it rests on the shoulder 44 is my iluiddistributing device 50.

The device 50` comprises a horizontally positioned annular ring member52 having a circumferentially extended vertical flange 54 for engagementwith the collar 42 and upon the shoulder 44 and is held in securementtherewith by an inverted U-shaped clip 56. The clip 56 is formed with atab 57 adapted to engage the underside of the shoulder 44 which preventsupward lifting or removal of the device 50 from the outer tub.

T-he ring member 52 extends across and over the rim 60 of the basket 24with an incline sloped downwardly towards and into the opening 62 of thebasket. The member 52 is formed with a trough or channel 64 that extendscircumferentially about and within the opening 62. A side 65 of thetrough extends upwardly to forrrl an access opening 66 that is alignedwith the opening 36 for access into the basket. The trough or channel isclosed by a cover plate 67 which connects from the terminated end of theside 65 to the ring member 52 to form an inclined top wall .to directsplashed uids from the basket to d-rain towards the member 52` fromwhich it passes through openings 68 into the tub 22. The openings 68 arespaced circumferentially about the ring 52 adjacent the cover plate 67and each opening is formed with a detlector 69` arranged to permit fluidto drain into thettub but prevent fluid from splashing outwardly throughthe openings 68.

To Iadmit lluid into the channel 64 the member 52 is formed withvertical walls that cooperatively form with the cover plate 67 an inletchamber 70 and connecting passages 72, 74` that interconnect chamber 70with the channel 64. The passages 72, 74 are divided by a partitionedWall 75 :formed with arcuate extensions 76, 77 to direct the Huid tocourse in opposite directions about t-he endless circumferential channel64. The extension 76 directs the flow to enter tangentially the channel64 from the passage 72 and continue in the channel in a counterclockwisedirection, while the extension 77 will direct the flow in `an opposeddirection in the channel 64, that is, clockwise as it enters from thepassage 74. Both flows terminate at a diametrically opposed point fromtheir entry into the channel.

Cleaning fluid is conducted from a suitable source of supply through ahose or conduit 80 that connects to a vacuum breaker 82 which in turn isconnected by a hose or conduit 84 to the inlet chamber 70. The vacuumbreaker 82 comprises a cup shaped receptacle 83 to receive the ow acrossan yair gap from the outlet of the conduit 80, being deflected into thecup by an arcuate wall85.

The channel or trough 64 is provided with a plurality of spaced aboutoutlet openings 90. As stated, the trough 64 is positioned within theopening 62 of the basket 24 and in this position the outlet openings 90are in communication to direct a gravity flow into the basket. Theopenings 90 yare spaced about the channel and are progressively sized.The smallest sized opening is adjacent the point of the flows entry intothe channel. In the present illustration the extensions 76, 77 are eachterminated a spatial distance from the side wall 65 of the trough 64 toform an open pocket 92 into which the uid may flow from both passages72, 74, It is in this pocket that the smallest opening 93 is formed andprogressing in opposite direction from this opening 93, in the directionof each ow, the openings progressively increase in size until reachingthe opening 94 which is diametrically opposite the opening 93. Eachopening is formed in the bottom wall 95 of the channel' and extends adistance upwardly on the side wall 65. Each opening has the same width,that is, in the direction of the flow. The progressive changes in sizementioned are elTected by increasing progressively the height of eachopening from the opening 93 to the opening 94 as graphically indicatedby the openings 96, 97, 98, 99 shown in FIGURE 3.

The openings 90 are so arranged and sized that substantially the sameflow will be had from each opening entering the basket. The smalleropenings adjacent the ows entrance from the passageways 72, 74 will,because of the greater pressure of the iiuid in this area, provide aflow substantially equal to the flow exiting through the larger openingsat the farthest point downstream where the pressure is less.Substantially each flow is approximately equal and by the circulararrangement of the outlets there is a uniform wetting of the articles ofclothing in all parts of the basket. Further, as the iluid is made to owas a plurality of small streams splashing, misting within the basket isreduced to a minimum.

Adjacent the downstream side of each opening 90 is a respective baffle110. The baiiles 110 are preferably molded integral wit-h the walls ofthe channel to protrude into the channel 64 so as to disturb the flow ateach opening to provide -a distribution of the flow to each opening 90.

VThe cover plate 67 is secured to the member 52 by studs 115. The studs115 are preferably molded integrally with the member 52 and are adaptedto receive a respective ange 117 of the cover. As the cover is set onthe studs a heating tool 118 is applied upon the end of the stud toreduce the stud to a semi-fluid condition and reshape it into a rivethead 119 upon the ange 117.

Although a specific embodiment o-f this invention has been shown anddisclosed, it will be appreciated that to those skilled in the artvarious modifications may be made therein without departing from thespirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A washing machine having a basket for receiving cleaning uid andarticles of clothing to be processed in said cleaning fluid and improvedmeans for admitting said cleaning fluid into said basket, comprising;

a trough extending peripherally about and within an upper section ofsaid basket;

cleaning fluid supply means being connected to said trough providing atleast one point of fluid entry into said trough;

a plurality of outlet openings in said trough for directing the flowfrom said trough into said basket, and

each of said outlet openings being arranged in relation to itsdownstream location from the point of the fluid entry to providesubstantially an equal flowing stream yfrom each of said openings.

2. The improvement in the washing machine of claim 1,

said outlet openings being each progressively sized in relation to theirdownstream locations from the point of the fluid entry and providingsubstantially an equal iiowing stream into said basket.

3. The improvement in the washing machine of claim 1,

bafe means arranged adjacent each of said outlet openings on theupstream side of the opening to control the iiow distribution thereinto.

4. The improvement in the washing machine of claim 2,

a cabinet enclosing said basket,

an access opening for said basket,

means being supported by said cabinet and supporting said trough.

5. A washing machine having a basket for receiving cleaning fluid andarticles of clothing to be processed in said cleaning uid and improvedmeans for `admitting said cleaning fluid into said basket, comprising;

an annular member extending peripherally about Within an upper portionof said basket and having a passageway extending therear-ound,

cleaning Huid supply means being connected for supplying fluid tocirculate in at least one direction through said passageway;

a plurality of outlet openings communicating with said passageway andbeing arranged in said annular mernber to direct a plurality of flowstherefrom into said basket directly upon the articles of clothing withinsaid basket, and baille means arranged adjacent each of said outletopenings on the upstream side of the openings to control the iiowdistribution thereinto.

6. The improvement in the washing machine outlined in claim 5,

deecting means associated with said cleaning iiuid supply means todivide and deflect the flow entering said passageway to provide opposedcirculation therearound,

7. A washing machine having ran imperforate stationary tub and aperforated basket adapted for movement within said tub, said tub andbasket being supported on a vertical axis, said tub and basket eachbeing open ended at the top thereof;

and the improvement in said washing machine comprising;

an annular member secured to the open end of said tub,

said `annu'lar member extending in width over the edge of said basket`and having a trough formed and extending peripherally about and withinthe open end of said basket;

cleaning fluid supply means being connected to supply fluid into and forcirculation about said trough,

said trough having a plurality of outlet openings to direct -a liow fromeach opening into said basket,

said outlet openings being progressively sized in relation to theirdistance downstream from said iluid supply means entry into said trough.

8. The improvement in the Washing machine outlined in claim 7,

battle means adjacent each of said outlet openings being on thedownstream side of the opening. 9. The improvement in the washingmachine outlined in claim 7,

a cover member for enclosing said trough; said cover member being shapedto direct cleaning lluid splashed thereon to ow therefrom onto thesurface of said annular member, yand such annular member having aplurality of openings for draining the fluid from its surface into thetub. 10. The improvement in the washing machine outlined in claim 7,

in claim 8,

said outlet openings being progressively larger as their downstreamposition increases in said trough.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Loweke 68-207 X Zimarik 68-207 XGeldhof 68-207 X deflecting means associated with said trough to deflect15 WILLIAM I- PRICE, Pl'l'mm Examiner#

1. A WASHING MACHINE HAVING A BASKET FOR RECEIVING CLEANING FLUID ANDARTICLES OF CLOTHING TO BE PROCESSED IN SAID CLEANING FLUID AND IMPROVEDMEANS FOR ADMITTING SAID CLEANING FLUID INTO SAID BASKET, COMPRISING; ATROUGH EXTENDING PERIPHERALLY ABOUT AND WITHIN AN UPPER SECTION OF SAIDBASKET; CLEANING FLUID SUPPLY MEANS BEING CONNECTED TO SAID TROUGHPROVIDING AT LEAST ONE POINT OF FLUID ENTRY INTO SAID TROUGH; APLURALITY OF OUTLET OPENINGS IN SAID TROUGH FOR DIRECTING THE FLOW FROMSAID TROUGH INTO SAID BASKET, AND EACH OF SAID OUTLET OPENINGS BEINGARRANGED IN RELATION TO ITS DOWNSTREAM LOCATION FROM THE POINT OF THEFLUID ENTRY TO PROVIDE SUBSTANTIALLY AN EQUAL FLOWING STREAM FROM EACHOF SAID OPENINGS.